Thousands throng Jerusalem to press Netanyahu to make hostage release deal

Thousands of people gathered in Jerusalem to demand that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make a deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The protests were among the largest seen in Israel recently, as citizens expressed their concerns about the government's handling of the hostage situation. However, Netanyahu has maintained that defeating Hamas is the key to securing the hostages' release. He has insisted that negotiating with the group would only embolden them and compromise Israel's security. The prime minister has faced increasing pressure from the public and some political opponents to find a diplomatic solution to the hostage crisis. The article highlights the growing tensions between the government's position and the public's desire for a resolution to the hostage situation. It underscores the delicate balance that Netanyahu must strike between national security and public sentiment as he navigates this sensitive issue.